Aircraft table system with spring elements

ABSTRACT

An aircraft table system includes a table member, a sled member, and a spine member. The sled member moves reversibly on the spine member between a lower sled position and an upper sled position. The system further includes one or more spring elements coupled to the sled member. One or more cables may be coupled between the spine member and the spring elements such that the spring elements impart and/or maintain tension on the cables. The tension may be at least partially converted into an upward force imparted on the sled member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of aircraft tables. Inparticular, embodiments relate to aircraft tables of the deployabletype.

2. Description of the Related Art

Many aircrafts are equipped with deployable tables. The tables allow acrew member or passenger to deploy the table when it is needed and stowthe table when it is not.

Some aircraft tables use a rack and pinion system as a deploymentmechanism. Some such rack and pinion systems are, however, known toexperience periodic failure (e.g., jamming) due to in-flight stressesimparted on the system, such as may occur during the takeoff and landingof an aircraft.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,520,091 to Dettmers shows a retractable table usingslidable guide members in conjunction with scissor support members and agas spring for deployment. The Dettmers patent also shows a notchedsupport arm to hold the table in place and support its weight as well asany user-imparted loads.

Slidable guide members may be used to facilitate table deployment. Insome cases, however, these deployment mechanisms may be susceptible toadverse frictional forces (e.g., binding), making deployment difficult.Furthermore, a notched arm may create a stress-concentrated pivot point,which may fail in high load situations.

SUMMARY

Described herein are various embodiments of an aircraft table system. Inan embodiment, the aircraft table system includes a table member and asled member. The table member is coupled to the sled member. The tablemember moves reversibly from an undeployed position to a deployedposition.

In an embodiment, an aircraft table system includes rollers coupled to asled member and guide rails. The rollers are arranged in sets and rollalong the guide rails to allow relative translating motion between thesled member and the guide rails.

In some embodiments, an aircraft table system includes a spine member.When the table member is adjusted to a partially deployed position,movable bolts on the sled member are received by holes in the spinemember such that the sled member and the coupled table member are atleast partially supported by the spine member on the received bolts.Cables may be coupled between the bolts and the table member such thatwhen the table member is adjusted from a deployed position to anundeployed position, the bolts are pulled from the corresponding holesin the spine member, freeing the sled member to move relative to thespine member. In certain embodiments, system elements, such as bolts andguide rails, are arranged symmetrically.

In an embodiment, an aircraft table system includes a table member, asled member, and a spine member. The sled member moves reversibly on thespine member between a lower sled position and an upper sled position.The system further includes one or more spring elements coupled to thesled member. One or more cables may be coupled between the spine memberand the spring elements such that the spring elements impart and/ormaintain tension on the cables. The tension may be at least partiallyconverted into an upward force imparted on the sled member.

In some embodiments, the table and sled members are directly connectedto one another with hinges. In certain embodiments, the hinges are quickdisconnect hinges.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be better understood and other advantageswill appear on reading the detailed description of some embodimentstaken as non-limiting examples and illustrated by the following drawingsin which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an aircraft tablesystem.

FIG. 2 is a detailed view of the coupling between the table member and asled member in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the spring-loaded bolt in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the rollers in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a detailed view of the spring reel elements in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 6A-6C are perspective views of an embodiment a table member and asled member progressively ascending up a spine member.

FIGS. 7A-7B are corresponding side and front views of an embodiment of aaircraft table in a raised, undeployed position.

FIGS. 7C-7F are corresponding side and front views of an embodiment ofan aircraft table being moved progressively to a deployed position.

FIGS. 7G-7H are corresponding side and front views of an embodiment ofan aircraft table in a deployed position.

FIGS. 8A-8C are perspective views of an embodiment of a table member anda sled member progressively descending down a spine member.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications andalternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way ofexample in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. Itshould be understood, however, that the drawing and detailed descriptionthereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular formdisclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover allmodifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spiritand scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.Furthermore the word “may” is used throughout this application in apermissive sense (i.e., having the potential to, being able to), not amandatory sense (i.e., must). The term “include”, and derivationsthereof, mean “including, but not limited to”. The term “coupled” meansdirectly or indirectly coupled.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

In the context of this application, the following terms are defined as:

“Deployed” refers to a position of an element when ready for use.

“Undeployed” refers to a position of an element when not ready for use.For example, a table member is undeployed when it is stowed.

A “member” refers to a constituent part of a system. A “member” mayinclude a plate, link, or other stricture of various sizes, shapes, andforms. A member may be a single component or a combination of componentscoupled to one another. A member may have various regular or irregularshapes. For example, portions of a member may be straight, curved, or acombination of both.

A “cable” refers to any flexible member capable of carrying a tensileload and/or transmitting a pulling load. Examples of a cable include acord, a rope, a wire, or a bundle of wires.

A “bolt” refers to a movable element. Examples of a bolt include a pin,a bar, rod, or a shaft.

A “hole” refers to any opening, aperture, or receptacle that can receiveor accommodate another element.

A “spring element” refers to a member or a device (or a combination ofmembers and/or devices) that has elastic properties. Examples of aspring element include a compression spring, a leaf spring, a coilspring, or an elastic band.

“Spring-loaded” refers to a device having at least one element that canbe biased or urged into at least one position by a spring.

A “quick disconnect hinge” refers to a hinge capable of beingdisconnected without the use of a tool.

A “spine member” refers to any member or combination of members capableof supporting or partially supporting a translating member, component,or assembly. A spine member may include one or more rails for guiding atranslating element.

A “sheave” refers to any element for guiding, supporting, carrying, ortransmitting force to a cable, such as a pulley. A sheave may include,for example, a grooved wheel or roller, or portion thereof, over which acable may pass.

“Lock” refers to securing or immobilizing an element, or holding anelement in place.

“Pivotal” refers to serving as a pivot, or rotational about an axis orpoint.

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of an aircraft table system. Suitablelocations for an aircraft table system include a sidewall of a cabin,rear wall of a cabin, bulkhead, or a pedestal. Aircraft table system 100includes table member 1 coupled to sled member 2. Sled member 2 iscoupled to spine member 5 on roller systems 20 (See also FIG. 4). Spinemember 5 may at least partially support sled member 2 and table member1. Spine member 5 is mounted to structural element 30 (for clarity, onlya portion of structural element 30 is shown in FIG. 1). Structuralelement 30 may be any component or structural element on the aircraftthat is suitable for mounting the system, such as a wall of a cabin, abulkhead, an enclosure, a rail, or a frame. In certain embodiments,structural element 30 is an enclosure in which the table can be stowedwhen it is not in use.

Table member 1 may move reversibly from an undeployed position (such asthe stowed position shown in FIGS. 6A and 8C, or the raised verticalposition shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B) to a deployed position (such as shownin FIGS. 1 and 7G-7H). In certain embodiments, a deployed position ofthe table member 1 is substantially horizontal. Sled member 2 may movereversibly between a lower sled position and an upper sled position(such as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 8). In the embodiment shown in FIGS.7A-7H, 6, and 8, sled member 2 translates generally up and down on spinemember 5, and table member 1 is hinged to sled member 2.

Spine member 5 of aircraft table system 100 includes a pair of guiderails 12. Guide rails 12 are substantially opposed to one another.Roller assemblies 20 may include rollers that roll along guide rails 12to allow translating motion between the sled member 2 and spine member5.

In some embodiments of an aircraft table system, the connection betweena table member and a sled member is a direct connection (for example,without any intermediate connecting links between the sled member andthe table member). A direct connection may be implemented, for example,with one or more hinges between the table member and the sled member. Adirect connection may provide a stronger, stiffer, and/or lower-profilesystem than systems that include intermediate members such as linkagesor mechanisms between a table member and other structural elements of anaircraft table system. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, table member 1is pivotally coupled to sled member 2. Hinges 3 connect table member 1to sled member 2. In one embodiment, hinges 3 are each at least aboutone inch or more in length. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 (and ingreater detail in FIG. 2), hinges 3 are quick disconnect hingesincluding male component 21 and female component 22. (In FIG. 2, malecomponent 21 for the right hinge 3 is shown removed for illustrativepurposes). A quick disconnect hinge may increase serviceability of anaircraft table system. In other embodiments, a hinge between tablemember 1 and sled member 2 may be a permanent hinge (for example, with ahinge welded or riveted to the members). In alternate embodiments, asled member and a table member may be connected to each other by way ofintermediate links, rods, rails, spacers, gears, rack and pinion, orother elements.

In some embodiments, an aircraft table system includes one or moremovable bolts coupled to a sled member. The position of the movablebolts may be selectively controlled to engage supporting structure andmaintain the sled member and table member at a desired height. Forexample, as is shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, sled member 2 carries bolts 4.Spine member 5 includes holes 6. Holes 6 are of suitable dimensions andlocation to receive bolts 4 carried by sled member 2 when bolts 4 are atthe same height as holes 6. Bolts 4 and corresponding holes 6 may bepositioned on each of the opposing sides of sled member 2. Bolts 4 areeach coupled to one of springs 16. Springs 16 may urge bolts 4 towardthe outer rails of spine member 5 (away from a centerline of sled member2).

Referring again to FIG. 1, aircraft table system 100 includes cables 7.One of cables 7 is coupled to each of bolts 4 carried by sled member 2.One end of each of cables 7 is coupled to a respective one of bolts 4and the other end of the cable is coupled to table member 1. The attachpoint 80 of cables 7 to table member 2 may be offset relative to a pivotaxis between table member 1 and sled member 2. When a user raises tablemember 1, table member 1 may pull on cables 7 at the ends of the cablesattached to table member 1, which, in turn, increases a pulling load ofcables 7 on bolts 4. Conversely, when a user lowers table member 1,table member 1 may slacken cables 7 at the ends of the cables attachedto table member 1, which, in turn, decreases a pulling load of cables 7on bolts 4.

Aircraft table system 100 includes sheaves 9 a, 9 b, and 9 c. Sheaves 9a, 9 b, and 9 c are carried by sled member 2. Sheaves 9 a, 9 b, and 9 ccarry and guide cables 7. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, system 100includes three sheaves that guide each of cables 7. An aircraft tablesystem may, however, include any number of sheaves in variousarrangements. In some embodiments, sheaves 9 a, 9 b, and 9 c arerotatably coupled to sled member 2.

In some embodiments, support bolts for a table member automaticallyengage in a receptacle to support a table member when the table memberis adjusted to a deployed position (e.g., a horizontal position). Insome embodiments, supporting bolts for a table member may automaticallydisengage from a receptacle when a table member is adjusted from adeployed position to an undeployed position (e.g., from a horizontalposition to a vertical position). For example, bolts 4 may automaticallyengage in holes 6 when table member 1 is deployed, and bolts 4 mayautomatically disengage from holes 6 when table member 1 is adjustedfrom the deployed position in preparation for stowage.

In some embodiments, an aircraft table system includes acable-tensioning mechanism. A cable tensioning mechanism may add tensionto, and/or release tension from, a cable or cables used to control theposition of a table. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1,sheaves 9 a, 9 b, and 9 c are part of cable tensioning mechanisms 50(one on each side of sled member 2). Each cable tensioning mechanism 50includes spring-loaded arm 10. Each spring-loaded arm 10 is pivotallycoupled to sled member 2. Each cable-tensioning mechanism 50 alsoincorporates sheaves 9 a, 9 b, and 9 c. Sheave 9 a is coupled at or nearthe end of spring-loaded arm 10. Sheave 9 b is coupled to spring-loadedarm 10 at the point where spring-loaded arm 10 pivots relative to sledmember 2. Sheave 9 c is coupled to sled member 2 below sheaves 9 a and 9b. As previously described, for each of cables 7, one end of the cableis coupled to a spring-loaded bolt 4 and the other end is coupled to theunderside of table member 2 (as shown, for example, at attach point 80in FIG. 7A). Each of cables 7 passes over arcuate guide 18, as well asthe set of sheaves 9 b, 9 a, and 9 c in alternating fashion.Spring-loaded arm 10 may bias sheave 9 a so as to add tension to cables7. In some embodiments, spring-loaded arm 10 may also allow sheaves 9 ato move so as to relieve tension in cables 7. A cable-tensioningmechanism may provide a desired minimum amount of tension on one or morecables during various stages of deployment and use of an aircraft tablesystem. For example, cable-tensioning mechanisms 50 may slow the descentof table member 2 as table member 2 is lowered from a raised position toa deployed (e.g., horizontal) position, such as by the force applied bya user, by gravity, or a combination thereof.

In various embodiments, a sled member for an aircraft table system mayinclude rollers. The rollers may facilitate translation of the sledmember. As described above relative to FIG. 1, sled member 2 includesroller systems 20. FIG. 4 illustrates a roller assembly for a sledmember according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. Roller system 20includes rollers 11 and roller housing 70. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 1, roller housing 70 is integral to the main structure of sledmember 2. In other embodiments, a roller housing may be a separatecomponent that is mounted to the structure of sled member 2. As isillustrated by FIG. 4, rollers 11 may roll along guide rail 12 of spinemember 5. Rollers 11 may be grouped into one or more sets of rollers.Additionally, roller system 20 includes a roller, namely roller 11 a, ineach set that rolls along the edge surface of guide rail 12, anotherroller, namely roller 11 b, of the set that rolls along the frontsurface of guide rail 12, and a third roller, namely roller 11 c, thatrolls along the back surface guide rail 12. In certain embodiments,rollers 11 a and/or rollers 11 b/ 11 c are arranged in conjunction withguide rails 12 of spine member 5 to support the load of sled member 2.For example, in one embodiment, one roller 11 a engages a guide rail oneither side of the sled member, and each rail carries a portion of theweight of the sled member.

The number of sets of rollers may at least be equal to the number ofguide rails 12. In an embodiment, each guide rail 12 is loaded with atleast one set of rollers. In certain embodiments, the sets of rollersroll on respective portions of guide rails 12. In some embodiments, asled member includes at least one upper set and at least one lower setof rollers. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, roller assembly 20 includesroller sets 61 and 62 in which roller set 62 is above roller set 61.Rollers sets 61 and 62 may be arranged in conjunction with guide rail 12to stabilize the sled member 2 relative to spine member 5.

In some embodiments, an aircraft table system includes one or moremechanisms to assist in lifting and/or lowering a table member and/orsled member. In some embodiments, an aircraft table system includes oneor more mechanisms that enhance user control of the system duringdeployment and/or mitigate or dampen loads imposed on, or by, the systemduring use, deployment, or stowing of the table.

Referring again to FIG. 1, system 100 includes spring reel elements 13and cables 14. FIG. 5 is a detailed view illustrating an arrangement ofspring reel element 13 and cable 14. Spring reel elements 13 may berotatably coupled to sled member 2. One end of each of cables 14 iscoupled to spine member 5 at attach point 90. The other end of each ofcables 14 is wrapped on one of spring reel elements 13. From each springreel element 13, cable 14 extends through aperture 17 in sled member 2,over sheaves 9 d, and then terminates on spine member 5 at attach point90. Spring reel element 13 may maintain tension on cable 14. Duringraising and lowering of sled member 2, each of cables 14 bears on itsrespective sheave 9 d. Sheaves 9 d may convert pulling force from thespring reel elements 13 imparted on the cables 14 at least partiallyinto an upward force on sled member 2.

In some embodiments, spring reel elements 13 are biased to pull on thecoupled cables 14 and impart an upward force on sled member 2 as sledmember 2 translates along the spine member 5 to assist in displacing thesled member 2 to an upper sled position. Spring reel elements 13 mayalso impart a force resisting the displacement of the sled member 2 tothe lower sled position. The resisting force may control the motion ofretraction, for example, so as to avoid a free fall of the sled member2.

In some embodiments, the force of the spring reel elements 13, inconjunction with the one or more rollers 11 cooperating with at leastone of the guide rails 12, may suspend the sled member 2 at a givenheight in the absence of an applied external force. For example, if auser is interrupted while raising table member 1, table member 1 mayremain suspended until the user resumes raising the table member.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, spring reel elements 13 may be arrangedsymmetrically around a central axis of the sled member 2. A symmetricalarrangement may help ensure that the sled member 2 is balanced throughtranslation.

In various embodiments, a method of deploying an aircraft table includesdisplacing (e.g., raising) the table member and adjusting the tablemember from an undeployed position to a fully deployed position. FIGS.6A-C, 7A-7H, and 8A-8C illustrate aircraft table system 100 in variousstages of deployment and use. FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate table member 1 andsled member 2 being raised from a stowed position to a raised verticalposition. FIGS. 7A-7H illustrate lowering table member 1 to a deployedposition. FIGS. 8A-8C illustrate table member 1 and sled member 2 beinglowered from a raised vertical position to a stowed position.

Sled member 2 rolls on guide rails 12, via rollers 11, as table member 1is raised from a lower position to an upper position or lowered from theupper position to the lower position. In some embodiments, the lowerposition is a stowed position.

Sled member 2 may automatically lock as table member 1 is adjusted to adeployed position. Sled member 2 may automatically unlock as tablemember 2 is adjusted from the deployed position to an undeployedposition. Locking and unlocking of the sled member 2 may be facilitatedby cable-tensioning mechanism 50.

In FIG. 6A, sled member 2 and table member 1 are in a stowed conditionin spine member 5. A user may lift table member 1 such that sled member2 slides up on guide rails 12 through the intermediate position shown inFIG. 6B and to a fully raised position as shown in FIG. 6C.

FIGS. 7A-7H illustrates adjusting table member 1 from a partiallyundeployed position to a fully deployed position (in this case, from avertical position to a horizontal position). Deploying table member 1 tothe fully deployed position includes pivoting table member 1 downwardwith respect to sled member 2. In FIGS. 7A-7H, consider section 7 a asthe portion of cable 7 between attach point 80 and arcuate guide 18.Consider section 7 b as the portion of cable 7 between arcuate guide 18and sheave 9 b. Additionally, consider section 7 c as the portion ofcable 7 between sheaves 9 b and 9 a. Consider section 7 d as the portionof cable 7 between sheaves 9 a and 9 c. Finally, consider section 7 e asthe portion of cable 7 between sheave 9 c and the end of cable 7 coupledto bolt 4.

When table member 1 is in an undeployed position (such as shown in FIGS.7A-7B), section 7 a is held in tension due to the raised condition ofattach point 80. At this time, tension from section 7 a is equallyimparted on section 7 b as well as sections 7 c and 7 d, partiallyovercoming the bias of spring-loaded arm 10. Additionally, whilespring-loaded arm 10 is held in place, the tension in section 7 d isequally imparted on section 7 e, holding bolt 4 in a retracted positionrelative to hole 6. As table member 1 is moved to an at least partiallydeployed position (such as shown in FIGS. 7C-7D), attach point 80 ismoved closer to arcuate guide 18, releasing tension in cable 7.Initially, while the tension in cable 7 is sufficient to holdspring-loaded arm 10 in place, the release of tension in section 7 acauses relief in sections 7 b, 7 c, 7 d, and 7 e, allowing bolt 4 toenter hole 6 of spine member 5. Once bolt 4 has entered hole 6, sledmember 2 is supported on bolt 4. From this point (such as shown in FIGS.7E-7H), as table member 1 is further adjusted to a horizontal positionand tension is further released from section 7 a, the bias ofspring-loaded arm 10 pulls sections 7 c and 7 d, via sheave 9 a, to takeup any slack in cable 7. Once table member 1 reaches the horizontalposition, aircraft table system 100 is fully deployed.

When aircraft table system 100 is no longer needed, table member 1 maybe returned to a stowed position. To stow table member 1, table member 1may be returned from a horizontal position a vertical position. Duringreturn of table member 1, the positions of table member 1 and variouselements of aircraft table system 100 may be as illustrated in FIGS.7A-7H, though in reverse order, with the position of the table memberprogressing from a starting at a horizontal position as shown in FIGS.7G-7H to a vertical position as shown in FIGS. 7A-7B. As table member 1is raised to the vertical position, attach point 80 is raised, puttingtension on cable 7. Cable 7 may pull bolt 4 to a retracted positionrelative to hole 6. Once bolt 4 is retracted from hole 6, table member 1and sled member 2 may be lowered into a stowed position as shown inFIGS. 8A-8C.

As is illustrated by FIGS. 6A-6C and FIGS. 8A-8C, table member 1 may beraised and lowered on sled member 2. In some embodiments, elements of anaircraft table system may provide an upward force to assist a user inraising a table member and/or retard descent of the table member. Forexample, an upward force may be provided by the spring reel elements 13configured to pull on one or more provided cables 14.

In the embodiment of the aircraft table system illustrated in FIG. 1,various elements such as bolts, sheaves, roller assemblies, spring reelelements, and guide rails, are provided in mirrored pairs, with oneelement on the left side of the system and a corresponding element onthe right side of the system. It will be understood, however, that invarious embodiments, an aircraft table system may include one or more ofthe disclosed elements on only one side of the system. For example, anaircraft table may include a retractable bolt mechanism on the left sideof the system but not on the right side. Further, an aircraft tablesystem might include more than one of an element on one side of thesystem. For example, an aircraft table system might include two or morebolts on the right side of the system.

Further modifications and alternative embodiments of various aspects ofthe invention may be apparent to those skilled in the art in view ofthis description. Accordingly, this description is to be construed asillustrative only and is for the purpose of teaching those skilled inthe art the general manner of carrying out the invention. It is to beunderstood that the forms of the invention shown and described hereinare to be taken as embodiments. Elements and materials may besubstituted for those illustrated and described herein, parts andprocesses may be reversed, and certain features of the invention may beutilized independently, all as would be apparent to one skilled in theart after having the benefit of this description of the invention.Changes may be made in the elements described herein without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the followingclaims. Terms relating to orientation, such as “upper”, “lower”, “top”,“bottom”, “left”, or “right”, are used for reference only; the deviceherein may be used in any orientation.

1-50. (canceled)
 51. An aircraft table system, comprising: a tablemember configured to move reversibly from an at least partiallyundeployed position to an at least partially deployed position; a sledmember coupled to the table member configured to move reversibly betweena lower sled position when the table member is in the at least partiallyundeployed position to an upper sled position where the table member maybe adjusted to an at least partially deployed position; a spine memberconfigured to support the sled member and the table member; one or morespring elements coupled to the sled member; and one or more cables,wherein at least one of the one or more cables comprises a portioncoupled to the spine member and at least one other portion coupled to atleast one of the spring elements.
 52. The system of claim 51, whereinthe at least one spring element comprises at least one spring reelelement, wherein the at least one spring reel element is rotatablycoupled to the sled member.
 53. The system of claim 51, wherein the atleast one spring element is configured to pull on the at least one cableand provide a force assisting the displacement of the sled member fromthe lower sled position to the upper sled position.
 54. The system ofclaim 51, wherein the at least one spring element is configured to pullon the at least one cable and provide a force assisting the displacementof the sled member from the lower sled position to the upper sledposition and resisting the displacement of the sled member from theupper sled position to the lower sled position.
 55. The system of claim51, wherein the at least one spring element is configured to reel up atleast a portion of the at least one cable as the sled is raised from thelower sled position to the upper sled position.
 56. The system of claim51, wherein, for at least one position of the sled member, the at leastone cable exerts a supporting force on a portion of the sled member suchthat the sled member is maintained at a given height in the absence ofan applied external force.
 57. The system of claim 51, furthercomprising: one or more rollers coupled to the sled member; one or moreguide rails; wherein at least one of the one or more rollers isconfigured to roll along at least one of the one or more guide railssuch as to allow relative translating motion between the sled member andthe at least one guide rail;
 58. The system of claim 57, wherein the atleast one spring element is configured to pull on the at least one cableand provide a force assisting the displacement of the sled member fromthe lower sled position to the upper sled position and resisting thedisplacement of the sled member from the upper sled position to thelower sled position, and wherein the force provided by the at least onespring element maintains the sled member on the one or more rollers at agiven height in the absence of an applied external force.
 59. The systemof claim 51, wherein the spine member comprises one or more holes, andfurther comprising: one or more bolts carried by the sled member;wherein at least a portion of at least one of the one or more cables iscoupled to at least one of the one or more bolts; and wherein the sledmember and the at least one bolt are configured such that when the tablemember is adjusted to the at least partially deployed position, the atleast one bolt is received by at least one of the one or more holes ofthe spine member such that the sled member and the table member are atleast partially supported by the spine member on the at least one bolt,and wherein at least a portion of at least one of the one or more cablesis coupled to the table member such that when the table member isadjusted to the at least partially undeployed position, the at least onebolt is pulled from the at least one hole of the spine member, allowingthe sled member to move relative to the spine member.
 60. The system ofclaim 51, wherein the at least partially deployed position issubstantially horizontal.
 61. The system of claim 51, wherein the tablemember is pivotally coupled to the sled member.
 62. An aircraft tablesystem, comprising: a table member configured to move reversibly from anat least partially undeployed position to an at least partially deployedposition; a sled member coupled to the table member configured to movereversibly between a lower sled position when the table member is in theat least partially undeployed position to an upper sled position wherethe table member may be adjusted to an at least partially deployedposition; a spine member configured to support the sled member and thetable member; two or more spring elements rotatably coupled to the sledmember; two or more cables; wherein at least a portion of at least afirst one of the cables comprises a portion coupled to the spine memberand at least one other portion coupled to at least a first one of thetwo or more spring elements; and wherein at least a portion of at leasta second one of the cables comprises a portion coupled to the spinemember and at least one other portion coupled to at least a second oneof the two or more spring elements.
 63. The system of claim 62, whereinthe first one of the spring elements is configured to pull on the firstone cables and the second one of the spring elements is configured topull on the second one of the cables and provide a force assisting thedisplacement of the sled member from the lower sled position to theupper sled position.
 64. The system of claim 62, wherein the first oneof the spring elements is configured to pull on the first one cables andthe second one of the spring elements is configured to pull on thesecond one of the cables and provide a force assisting the displacementof the sled member from the lower sled position to the upper sledposition and resisting the displacement of the sled member from theupper sled position to the lower sled position.
 65. The system of claim62, wherein the first one and the second one of the spring elements arepositioned substantially symmetrically with respect to one another abouta central axis of the sled member.
 66. The system of claim 62, whereinthe at least partially deployed position is substantially horizontal.67. The system of claim 62, wherein the table member is pivotallycoupled to the sled member.
 68. A method of deploying an aircraft tablecomprising: raising a table member coupled to a sled member from a lowerposition to a higher position, wherein an assisting upward force isimparted on the sled member; and adjusting the table member to an atleast partially deployed position.
 69. The method of claim 68, whereinthe assisting upward force is provided by one or more spring elementsconfigured to pull on one or more cables.
 70. The method of claim 68,further comprising: adjusting the table member from the deployedposition; and lowering the table member from a higher position to alower position, wherein a resisting upward force is imparted on the sledmember.
 71. The method of claim 70, wherein the resisting upward forceis at least equal to the force of gravity on the table member and thesled member.
 72. The method of claim 70, wherein the resisting upwardforce is provided by one or more spring elements configured to pull onone or more cables.
 73. The method of claim 68, wherein the lowerposition is a stowed position.